Long-term organic and inorganic fertilization on economics, energy budgeting and carbon footprint of soybean-wheat cropping system in the Indian mid-Himalayas

Abstract

For identification and adoption of improved and environmental friendly agricultural practices with minimum emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), observations were recorded for 3 years (2015–17) in a 22-yearold soybean-wheat based long-term fertilizer experiment that was started in 1995–96. The study involved seven treatments: control (CK), organic manure (M), inorganic fertilizers (NPK), integrated (MNPK), only nitrogen (N), mineral fertilizers in both season (NPK+NPK) and nitrogen with organic manure (MN). MNPK significantly enhanced the system productivity (9.72 Mg ha−1) with higher net return (3128 US$ha−1) and benefitcost ratio (1.64). Due to better energy output to inputs relation, total energy productivity and energy use efficiency were reported higher in MNPK (0.38 kg MJ−1 and 4.76, respectively) followed by MN (0.34 kg MJ−1 and 4.26, respectively) and M (0.32 kg MJ−1 and 4.16, respectively). In contrast to C efficiency, C sustainability index and yield scaled carbon footprint (CFy), the spatial CO2-e emission (CFs) was found highest under MNPK (~5035 kg CO2-e ha−1) followed by MN and NPK+NPK and lowest was recorded under control. In sum, long-term organic and inorganic fertilization simultaneously in soybean-wheat system may be a preferred strategy for improving soil productivity, profitability, energy use and environmental sustainability of Indian-mid-Himalayas.